Sodexo reaffirms its sustainability commitments

Sodexo has announced it has reaffirmed its five key sustainability commitments to work with employees, clients and suppliers for a “more resilient and green economic recovery”.

Sodexo said it is the first food services company with a carbon emission reduction objective in line with the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre- industrial levels – a 34% reduction by 2025 compared to 2017.

The company added it is “accelerating its actions” to make a positive impact on biodiversity preservation and climate change in conjunction with ‘rise with Sodexo’, its global programme to support organisations in their adaptation to the new normal.

The five commitments are:

• Continue the deployment of Sodexo’s food waste reduction programme as sites reopen. Sodexo will continue the deployment of its data-driven food waste reduction programme, WasteWatch powered by Leanpath. As client sites reopen around the world, Sodexo added it will continue its actions towards its goal to reduce food waste by 50% on active sites equipped with the programme. 
• Continue efforts to reduce single-use items and plastic waste. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a resurgence of single-use plastic. Despite this challenge, Sodexo added it continues to support its clients and consumers with actions to reduce single-use plastic.As part of our Covid-19 operational protocols, it has developed a detailed approach to prioritise single-use plastic alternatives such as reusable products and kitchen wares with strict cleaning processes or innovative package solutions that are more environmentally friendly when possible and in line with local guidelines.

  -Prevent: Prevention comes first. It has already cut many single-use plastics from its operations. Other disposable items such as napkins and paper straws are available by request only.-Reuse: Reusables are the next best choice and come in two forms: customer and Sodexo-owned items. Customer-owned items including coffee cups and food containers are currently restricted, due to possible transmission of Covid-19.

  -Recycle: There will be an increased use of disposable packaging to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Environmentally friendly options such as fibre-based packaging or plant-based materials will be considered where possible.
  
  

• Promote sustainable eating and low carbon meals as part of ‘rise with Sodexo’. Sodexo has increased its menu mix target for plant-based meals to more than 30% globally to address the growing consumer demand for sustainable food and preference for simple, clean, local and healthy ingredients.
  
• Promote sustainable and responsible sourcing. In 2020, Sodexo is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its partnership with WWF to continuously improve our operations and sourcing practices and reduce our carbon footprint, including from the production of the food, products and services sourced by Sodexo.

• Enhanced environmental training programme for employees. In May 2020 Sodexo updated and launched a new version of its ‘Sodexo and the environment’ global training programme to help its employees work with its clients and consumers to reduce its impact on the environment. 

Maria Outters, senior VP corporate responsibility, Sodexo said: “Underlying economic and social challenges ahead will magnify the need for economic models built on sustainable consumption patterns and solutions preserving natural resources.

“These priority actions in the current environment are part of our pragmatic approach to work with our clients, suppliers and employees to bring back confidence and seize the window of opportunity to make the recovery a turning point when it comes to sustainability.”

She added: “The Covid-19 crisis is a wake-up call to inject a much-needed collective purpose in the economic recovery and prevent an aggravated health, social and ecological crisis. Sodexo is committed to answer that call.”